Markovic scored 7 goals in 19 appearances for Partizan this season, earning himself a regular spot with the Serbia national team, and had been rumoured to be nearing a move to Estadio da Luz over the past couple of weeks.

Benfica confirmed the news with a statement on their official website, revealing that the youngster has penned a five-year deal with the Europa League runners-up.

Markovic, who joins compatriot Nemanja Matic at the Lisbon giants, revealed how the former Chelsea youngster had helped convince him to complete the move.

“Even today I spoke with Matic and he was telling me that Benfica is a club with more fans, very organized and with plenty of history, and he wished me the best of luck in this important step,” he told Benfica TV.

“I spoke with [Partizan goalkeeper Vladimir] Stojkovic and he told me that the Portuguese League is very competitive and wished me luck for this new stage.”

While Benfica are claiming that Markovic will join them from Partizan, the Serbian outfit's president Dragan Djuric has told Sportski Zurnal that the youngster is still owned by Chelsea and it is the Premier League side who will be officially loaning the player to Benfica for two years.